Trump vs. Everybody: What “Making America Great” May Mean

Let’s be honest. Most of us are not going to take the time to actually go to Donald Trump’s website, let alone look over his policies. Just from the sheer horror of what may come out of his mouth next, I’ve begun researching and planning for my escape from the impending doom that is Donald Trump’s candidacy. Although, I have to admit that I had no idea what his actual stances on the issues are.

Honestly, I’m not even sure his supporters, who are my biggest concern, have any idea what he stands for outside of “Mak[ing] America Great Again”… Whatever that means. I will give them credit for their overall passion and willingness to fight for what they believe in; no matter how irrational it may be.

Fortunately, I have taken some time to go over all six of Trump’s issues outlined on his website, as a means to provide some perspective on what we may have to hope for in an America under Trump.

This may come as a shock, so please be prepared, but Trump intends to completely repeal Obamacare. Although, he does want to make concessions for Americans that desire, yet cannot afford insurance, Trump believes that a more competitive market is what we need in order to heal our healthcare system.

In all humility, he states that…

“There are other reforms that might be considered if they serve to lower costs, remove uncertainty and provide financial security for all Americans. It is the moral responsibility of a nation’s government to do what is best for the people and what is in the interest of securing the future of the nation.”

As far as China is concerned, Trump intends on increasing incentives for keeping jobs in America, in addition to holding China accountable for it’s unethical practices. He wants to limit China’s ability to use “financial blackmail against us, and bolster the U.S. military presence in the East and South China Seas to discourage Chinese adventurism.” He believes, “A strong military presence will be a clear signal to China and other nations in Asia and around the world that America is back in the global leadership business.”

He also made a point to emphasize improving services specifically for women, which involves equipping every VA hospital in the country with “OBGYN and other women’s health services. In addition, women veterans can always choose a different OBGYN in their community using their veteran’s ID card.”

Trump was short and sweet. He wants to simplify the tax code and end special interest tax loopholes for corporations. He also wants to end the death tax, stating “No family will have to pay the death tax. You earned and saved that money for your family, not the government. You paid taxes on it when you earned it.”

Trump’s views on our second amendment rights seemed to have a lot more to do with crime than anything else, stating that “Violent crime in cities like Baltimore, Chicago and many others is out of control. Drug dealers and gang members are given a slap on the wrist and turned loose on the street. This needs to stop.”

He credited Project Exile as a tremendous program that said “if a violent felon uses a gun to commit a crime, you will be prosecuted in federal court and go to prison for five years – no parole or early release.” This program was met by opposition, during its existence, from members of the Congressional Black Caucus on the grounds that it would disproportionately affect the Black community since it targeted inner city communities with higher crime rates and higher populations of Black people.

Trump goes on to address the need to improve mental health when addressing some of the tragic mass shootings. Ultimately, he believes “empower[ing] law-abiding gun owners to defend themselves” is a solution for crime.

“To make America great again, we’re going to go after criminals and put the law back on the side of the law-abiding.”

Lastly, Trump makes these three statements concerning Immigration reform: (1) A nation without borders is not a nation. There must be a wall across the southern border, (2) A nation without laws is not a nation. Laws passed in accordance with our Constitutional system of government must be enforced, and (3) A nation that does not serve its own citizens is not a nation. Any immigration plan must improve jobs, wages and security for all Americans.

He believes that building a wall that Mexico pays for is a necessity.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN

I will start by admitting that I wasn’t initially outraged as I assumed I would be by taking on this feat. In all honestly, I actually thought some of his positions weren’t so bad.

Ultimately, my issues with his policies were that for one, there weren’t many of them and two, his positions seem to exclude a large portion of Americans that don’t look like him. For example, his reference to the felons, thugs, and drug dealers — who are disproportionately people of color — being criminals and mass shooters — who are mostly white –is a clear point of contention.

If we know that Black people are overrepresented in jails for committing crimes that our White counterparts are committing, but aren’t getting the same punishment for, why are we the criminals? Why are we not in need of the same help that young, white mass shooters are afforded?

In addition, please excuse my french, there are no f—’s given towards any other minority issues. There is nothing concerning education, the inequality of pay for women, racial injustice, uniting a nation divided, or anything like it, outside of building a wall of course.

This great nation that was built on the backs of immigrants must now build a wall to keep certain people out? Not to suggest that Immigration doesn’t need reform, but why aren’t we securing a wall around all of our borders?

Fortunately, according to an article posted on Bloomber.com “41 percent of Americans say that if a wall is built along the Mexican border, one should also be erected on the Canadian one.” But not because we have an issue with Canadian immigrants.

“If you cut off one, they’re going to come in the other way,” said by a Trump supporter.

Needless to say, I would prefer to see what a new and improved America could look like with me included. Trump can keep his “greatness.”

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Takia Lamb graduated from Spelman College in 2009 with a BA in Psychology and GA State University with an MSW in 2011. She is a wife, mother, and writer who believes in stories that provoke thought and emotion. She currently resides in Atlanta, GA and has a personal mission to approach community development through the lense of compassion.